City Council

AGENDA BOROUGH OF STEELTON November 5, 2012 CALL MEETING TO ORDER: President Wright with the Pledge of Allegiance MOMENT OF SILENCE: Thomas F. Acri, Mayor APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING AS PRESENTED: EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda items only PRESENTATIONS: Dennis Heefner COG Update COMMUNICATION: UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None OTHER BUSINESS: Sara Gellatly Executive Session (if necessary) AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: ADJOURNMENT:  Page |1 Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 5, 2012 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:30pm, by President, Jeffery Wright, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Jeffery Wright Maria Marcinko Raymond Spencer Denae House Steve Shaver Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Sara Gellatly, Borough Manager Absent: MaryJo Szada Michael Albert APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion made by Ms. Marcinko, seconded by Mr. Spencer, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the minutes from October 15, 2012, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENT: AGENDA ITEMS ONLY None PRESENTATIONS: Dennis Heefner – COG Update Mr. Heefner stated that at the last COG meeting, they wanted to approach all municipalities to review the franchise charges imposed by Comcast. To date there are 15 municipalities participating, with a rate of $4,900 per municipality. Mr. Heefner stated that there are not enough properties in Steelton where the Borough would benefit from participating in this review. Mr. Shaver stated that due to the Borough’s budget constraints that this is not an option for the Borough. John Logan, Director of Community Life Team – Life Team Update Mr. Logan stated that it was their pleasure to working with the Borough during Hurricane Sandy. The EMS membership drive will be going out in the upcoming weeks. Additional brochures will be available at the Borough Office and mailed out to all residents.  Page |2 Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 5, 2012 He also stated that Pinnacle Health did a five year strategic plan last year and this year Life Team will be engaging in five year strategic plan. They will be reaching out to local leadership to appoint to the Committee and asks that the Council submit a name for the Committee. COMMUNICATION: Mr. Wright stated that he received an email from the Borough Manager in regards to a letter from the Watershed Plan Advisory Committee, stated that they were looking for an individual to sit on the Board. Mr. Wright recommends that the Borough Manager be on the committee and Mr. Wight will serve as the secondary on the Committee. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 679 Paxton Street Update Ms. Marcinko stated that we did do research on a portion of Lebanon Street, and its status; she had mentioned at the previous Council meeting that Mr. Wion will prepare a resolution sticking this non-public portion of Lebanon Street from the Borough maps. The issue will be brought before Council at the following Council meeting. NEW BUSINESS: No new business. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Gellatly informed Council that an Executive Session is necessary to discuss personnel matters. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Dennis Heefner, 337 Swatara Street – He stated that the black fence across the street from his house and located on the wall there has been hit by a vehicle. Cars are parking along the fence, where there used to be a no parking sign. The police are unable to enforce cars parking along the fence because the sign is no longer up. He suggested that we place two unused concrete planters along the fence to enforce the no parking along the fence. Mr. Wright asked Ms. Marcinko, Public Works Committee Chair to ensure that the no parking sign is replaced. Kristen Tate, 704 North Front Street – She asked how the 2011 CDBG funds allocated for beautification would be used for because she still sees several things throughout the town that need fixed and replaced. She mentioned the planters that are empty along Front Street that generally collect trash.  Page |3 Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 5, 2012 She also stated that she is trying to decipher which properties are owned by which organizations. She noted that three properties on Front Street are owned by the Steelton Corporation and that she is still waiting on an answer as to why they were purchased along with the building at 24 Adams Street, along with the properties on Front Street. It is also her understanding that the Borough paid for all these properties that are sitting empty. Mr. Wright turned this issue to the Neighbor and Economic Development Committee and wants Ms. Tate’s request, the properties owned by the Borough and the Corporation, fulfilled and then at the next Council meeting a presentation given answering her questions. Natalie Muza, 200 Catherine Street – She stated that she was at the September 4, 2012 Council meeting due to damage that was sustained in her yard on September 3, 2012 and that it is an ongoing issue since 2005. On September 4 she asked that the maintenance plan that was put in place would be reevaluated as well as the Borough consider extending the pipe up to the outsource of where the two water pipes come down onto the pathway into the pipe. She stated the she did voicemail Ms. Marcinko on September 18 and has received no communication since then. She would like to know the status update on what is the plan for the upkeep, the maintenance, and the repair of the yard. Ms. Marcinko stated that reports have been given at previous Council meeting that Ms. Muza was not in attendance for. Ms. Marcinko stated that she has been assurance by the Public Works Department that they visit the storm drain every morning, including the weekends. The day of the storm, they were there in the morning. The rain that we had, regardless if the drain was cleaned or not cleaned, was an act of God. Ms. Marcinko confirmed with Ms. Muza that she did report that when Hurricane Lee, during 2011, that she had no damage. Ms. Muza confirmed that Ms. Marcinko’s statement was correct. Ms. Marcinko stated that according to HRG, the rain that fell on September 3 happened so quickly that the storm drain could not handle the amount of rain. Ms. Marcinko stated that per HRG there is nothing that could have been done that day to prevent what had happened. Ms. Muza stated that the damage that was done occurred because of the debri that was in the drain. Ms. Marcinko stated that the Borough is in budgetary discussions at this time and is unsure if the Borough can make the major changes that could be done for that type of rain. The issue is still being investigated. Ms. Marcinko stated that damage that she had, that the insurance company said the last time; it was the last time they would pay for the damage. Ms. Muza stated that she did not agree with that and that she had that clause removed from the contract. Ms. Marcinko told Ms. Muza to contact the Borough Manager to file a claim with the insurance company and let them handle the situation. Doreen Sawyers, 679 Paxton Street - She asked if she will receive something in writing from the Borough as to what the next step is in regards to tax assessment and changing the deed. She would like some guidance from the Borough about the portion of the Borough property that will  Page |4 Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 5, 2012 be deeded to her. Mr. Wright stated that Mr. Wion has to get all the documentation in order and then she will be contacted by the Borough Manager. She also stated that when she bought her property she had a lot of sewage problems and her basement was getting flooded every time she does wash. She had Pronto Plumbing come to her house and she had a new floor line installed. She said they went out 170 feet to the main line and there is an L-shape line, where there should be a straight line to the main. She stated that she spent $6,000 into installing a new line and now she is having the same problem again. She wants someone to come out and look at her line to determine why she is having problems. During the summer she said she called the Borough and they came to her house and opened the manhole and it was dry, and that the Public Works Department flushed 2,000 gallons of water down the main line. Ms. Sawyers feels as though she has done her part and would like the Borough to come out and assess the situation. Ms. Marcinko asked if the Ms. Sawyers’s plumbing company installed a backflow valve. Ms. Sawyers was not sure if they did. It was her understanding that the plumbing company was only able to go out so far towards the main because they would not reach the main line. Ms. Marcinko stated that the Public Works Department would be out to look at her line and determine what the problem is. Emuel Powell, 321 Lebanon Street – He stated that before the 1972 flood the Borough was divided into nine wards and would like to know why that changed. It was stated that there are no longer wards due to population. He believes the Borough should be divided back into wards to that each ward is represented by one council member, rather than having to discuss issues with all seven members. Mr. Wright stated if there is a situation that comes before Council that he turns the issues over to the different committees that are in place. Mr. Wright stated that if he if Mr. Powell is not sure who is the chair person of the different committees, that he can contact the Borough Manager. Mr. Wright also asked the Borough Manager to post the committees members on the bulletin board. Markis Millberry. 349 Spruce Street - He would like to know how many times of year and when the Borough clean the sewer gutters on Front Street. Mr. Wright stated that there is a maintenance plane in place. Ms. Marcinko stated that there is a scheduled maintenance plan but the exact details are not known. She stated that she would gather the information and inform him at the next meeting. Mr. Milbury stated that he turned in a right-to-know request, asking for the financial statements for the New Steelton and that it took a month for the information to get to him. He was trying to be specific about wanting to know which companies were used to purchase the bricks and how much the bricks and poles cost. Those were the details he was interested it. He stated that he only received a $25,000 invoice. Mr. Wion stated that his right-to-know request was specific only to his request for the materials for the year 2006 on the New Steelton project. The Borough went back and looked at the New Steelton project materials in 2006 and everything that the project had in 2006 was provided. Mr.  Page |5 Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 5, 2012 Millbury did not ask for the specifics of the contractors, and his requests were not a part of 2006materials. Mr. Wion stated that the Borough can only respond to the specific requests that ask for specific information and that the Borough responded to his request fully and that it took time to gather that information, which is allowable. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Ms. House – She asked Mr. Wright to give more details about the Committee that he asked Sara Gellatly to serve on. Mr. Wion stated that the Dauphin County Conservation District sent around a memorandum in regards to the Act 66 Storm Water Amendment. The County is responsible for the local storm water plan. The County adopts the plan and then the municipalities have to adopt the ordinances to implement the County’s plan. The County performed this several years ago and the Borough adopted the necessary ordinances. Now the County is going back because they have found problems with their plan and is going to have a Committee study and upgrade the plan. The Committee is going to consist of the various County municipalities and they need each municipality to appoint a representative; if the Chairman or President not going to be the representative, then there was a form that needed to be filled out indicating who will be attending the meeting on the Borough’s behalf. Ms. Marcinko – Congratulated the Steelton Fire Department for their successful Halloween Trick-or-Treat Haunted House and thanked the public for participating. She announced that Officer Kevin Martin received the DUI Top Gun award for the State. Mr. Spencer – Wanted to let the public know that we are in the last stages of the budget process and that it will be made available for public review and that he encourages the public to review it and ask questions. Mr. Shaver – He attended the Paxton Lodge award presentation and that the Borough provided four proclamations for the individuals who were being honored by the Lodge. Mayor Acri – Thanked the Fire Department and everyone who assisted in the Haunted House. Also he announced that the Tree Lighting Ceremony will be December 4 at 6:30pm. After the ceremony Santa Claus will be at the Fire House. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Ms. House, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:27pm to discuss legal matters and personnel matters. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:15pm. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to approve Nicole Salov’s three day suspension without pay, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously by all present.  Page |6 Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 5, 2012 A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to approve reliving Charles Miller Jr. of his duties with the Borough since he can no longer perform his duties, seconded by Ms. House and approved unanimously by all present. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion made by Ms. Marcinko, seconded by Mr. Spencer, the meeting adjourned at 8:18pm. Respectively Submitted: __________________________________ Sara Gellatly Borough Secretary